TNF Blocker Posts Cancer Risk

Anti-TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor) drug used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease will soon be labeled with the “black box” warning. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) says the drugs increase the risk of cancer in children and adolescents if taken more than 30 months. (Nothing is mention of the side effects these drugs have on adults) The drugs in question include J&J’s Remicade & Simponi, Abbott Lab’s Humira and Amgen & Wyeth’s Enbrel.

While rheumatoid arthritis patients may already be at greater risk for the white blood cell cancer, “there is a possible association between treatment with TNF blockers and the development of leukemia in all patients treated with these drugs,” the FDA said.